I’ve worked in the NHS for around 34 years.
Both my Nan’s worked as Domestic Auxiliaries as they were called then, one based in Physio/Radiography back home in Lincolnshire, and one in a cottage hospital in rural North Wales. Both of them worked in the NHS until their retirement.
My first role in the NHS was back in 1981 as a Trainee Dental Nurse for Grimsby Health Authority, and then I went onto being a pharmacy assistant at the general hospital. I moved abroad for awhile and after having a family, I started my Registered Nurse training in 1992 and have been in the NHS since.
I was very lucky when I qualified and managed to quickly secure a job that I love.
I’d worked hard as a student and encountered several challenges along the way in terms of people’s attitudes to infectious and communicable diseases. The positives
from which, spurred me on to delve a bit deeper into that field of work.
Having received an A for my dissertation on HIV and Sexual Health in Care, I managed to secure a Staff Nurse post in the local Genitourinary Medicine department (Sexual Health clinic nowadays) and within 18 months a Senior Staff nurse role, I was deputising for the department Sister. These were Gold dust positions and was a big achievement for me.
The best bit of working in the NHS is the camaraderie and community spirit”
Nicky Bamford
I must say, the best bit of working in the NHS is the camaraderie and community spirit.
‘Back in the day’ it was so different, we had the numbers of staff, ward workbooks, Matron (who also mucked in!), everyone had their jobs to do and everybody knew everybody, the place was immaculate and everyone was happy.
Patients were well looked after and you had time for them. In the afternoons, the ward auxiliaries used to bring round a trolley with tea, coffee and bread and jam, not just for patients but for their visitors too.
Those were the days.